I'm terribly sorry for the slow updates. Please forgive me.

Disclaimer: I shall never own Full Metal Alchemist for the pressure would surely be too much. But, alas, if only I could experience that joy for a little while.

Chapter 4

The world was so dark, the fear so strong. So many memories touched the body, as if they were wisps of smoke. Falling, falling, that was the key. Fall into an endless world; fall to where the pain was only there. Fall to where others wouldn't suffer. Only one, one that would carry everyone's pain and misery. To make them feel better about themselves, to rid the quilt that laid in their tainted souls. It was so cold, so lonely and sad. Only the simple sound, the painful joyous sound of rain could fill the silence. To comfort one into thinking that someone other than themselves was there, hugging them silently and sharing their woe. Only one sound was to break the silence. But it was never there.

The scream that filled the room was deafening as the girl sat up in the bed. She could feel the warm brush of Riza's hand and the quiet shushing. Black-Hayate's whine was close to Ai as he nudged her arm with his nose. Sweat drenched her body, making her cool and sticky. Ai could feel rain falling again as the darkness covered her mind. Fear struck Ai's heart and she curled into a ball. Maybe if she did that, everything would've been better. She would be safer, far from that cursed place. Shivers shook upon the surface of Ai's body as she remembered what had happened. Just maybe, if she stayed still and small, the nightmare would just disappear. Maybe it would go away, go away forever. Let her be at peace, while she slept in the dark with what little comfort she had. Even if it was a little while and a little bit…

The day had finally come. Ai stepped from a room to the next as Riza led her through the building. Ai's keen ears perked up, trying to pick up every sound possible. But, this hall was empty, and a ringing silence along with shuffling feet and rustling cloth fell onto her eardrums. A look of doubt crossed Ai's face as to where they were going, she wasn't even sure that it would be interesting.

The click of a door made Ai's ears perk much like a dog's. The turning of a chair soon followed after.

"Sir," Riza said.

A single sound of protest issued from Ai's mouth as she felt Riza leave her side. The door closed, and Ai was left with a stranger.

"Ai, I am Colonel Roy Mustang," the man introduced.

With a bit of tracing, Ai realized who Roy Mustang was. He was the horse that gave her the over-sized shirt. Ai nodded to show a sign that she understood and listened intently to what he had to say next.

Roy Mustang cleared his throat before speaking, "I have not made a decision on what to do with you. But, I will let you decide on what you want, whether it be to return to the streets, or…" Roy's voice seemed to trail off as he didn't want to speak of the other option. A confusion danced around Ai's mind, for the thought of deciding was a rush.

"Decide…?" she asked. She had never decided in her life. She took what was given, and that was the end of the story. But to decide her own path, that was just too much, and the shock was overwhelming! Even so, her stoic face remained a statue as her unaltered gaze looked ahead.

"I…will stay. Stay…to help…Full Metal," Ai announced slowly. Now, her mind wasn't very sure of this, but a want and feeling inside told her to. Of course, how would she know? She was nothing, except a child thing.

A soft sound came from Roy Mustang as he thought it over. Maybe Full Metal could watch over the girl. But, how will this affect his search with the Philosopher's Stone? This girl could help by digging into a person's mind, and it could cause less destruction than what Full Metal did.

"I'll think about. Now, we should go get you decent clothing," Roy answered and instantly, Riza Hawkeye stepped into the room.

"I suppose you heard me, Riza? Take the girl to buy clothing. You should maybe even get yourself a miniskirt along the way," Roy said jokingly.

Ai felt an evil aura coming from Riza after that comment. Slowly, Ai left the room, leaving Riza with Roy.

Behind, some yelps were heard as well as blasts.

Weeks passed by with Ai staying at the side of Edward. She refused to leave his side, and neither did Al. Alphonse made sure to not let her hurt his dear brother anymore. Alphonse watched the girl. My, how tiresome it seemed to watch Ed sleep day in and day out. Al's tired soul wanted to rest of course, but how could he? He was trapped in an armor of steel until he got a body back. A sigh blew from Al as his body clunked clumsily in the wooden chair. Just the thought of sleeping made him tired.

"A-Al…" a meek voice called.

Alphonse's attention snapped back in a wave of shock.

"B-brother?" Al asked. A joy filled inside him as he realized that the voice really did belong to his brother. "Brother!"

Al rushed over to his side carefully avoiding Ai's frail body.

"Brother, are you alright?" Al almost shouted.

A soft moan escaped from Edward's lips as the boom of his brother's voice hit his eardrums.

Ed smirked and tried to sound strong, but he felt so tired.

"Hey, Al, I'm alright. What happened?"

"You…You went in a coma…and…" Al trailed off, not knowing how to explain.

"Hey Al,"

"Yes brother?"

"I need to use the bathroom,"

Maybe I should've let Ed use the bathroom before he went in that coma o.O